WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York 

Let's Hope This is The First of Many

You should know that Christmas came a little early this year as New York State's Republican leaders descended upon the South Bronx like Santa Claus at a very special event held on December 16, 2013, where close to 2,000 children received over 2,000 free Christmas toys. Everyone in the auditorium of I.S. 216, the Rafael Hernandez School, had a great time. The smiles on the faces of the boys and girls grew into cheering and even standing ovations!

You should know that this event was co-hosted by yours truly, Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz, along with the New York State Republican Party Chairman Ed Cox, Assemblyman Marcos Crespo, and Mr. Rafael Salamanca, District Manager of Community Planning Board #2. We were impressed that Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino and New York State's Senate Republican Majority Leader Senator Dean Skelos joined us to celebrate Christmas in the Bronx. Even a die-hard Democrat like Bronx Borough President Rubén Díaz, Jr. attended this activity!

I would like to extend my deepest thanks to everyone who participated, especially Assemblyman Marcos Crespo; Mr. Rafael Salamanca District Manager of Community Planning Board #2; the United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots; the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization; and New York Republican Party leaders. This was a great blessing to many families in the South Bronx who are suffering during these critical economic times.

You should know that for many years, I have hosted a Three Kings Day Event on the South Bronx with music and games and free toys for children in an effort to allow families to gather and celebrate our cultural pride with friends and neighbors. The 2014 Three Kings Day celebration will be held on Saturday, January 4, 2014 at 12:00 noon at PS 5 which is located at 564 Jackson Avenue, on the corner of 149th Street in the Bronx.

Ladies and gentlemen, even though nothing like the 2013 Christmas in the Bronx event has ever happened here before, I am hopeful that this will not be the last time for us to witness elected officials from the Democratic and Republican parties coming together for the benefit the poor and needy children here in the South Bronx.

I hope and pray that on Saturday January 4, 2014, the leadership of the Republican Party will be there to help us - along with any other elected officials and organizations and people of good will who want to make the Christmas season brighter for our children.

My dear friend, this was bipartisanship at its best. This is an example of what a concerned leader can do when he or she puts the community first and brings together Republicans and Democrats to bring benefit to a disadvantaged, forgotten, underprivileged and under-served minority community. It was great, it was marvelous - let's do it again!

This is Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz, and this is what you should know.

 

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York

LILLIAM BARRIOS-PAOLI HAS A MESS TO CLEAN UP

You should know that I applaud Mayor-elect Bill DeBlasio's selection of Lilliam Barrios-Paoli as his Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services. I especially applaud him for taking time during that announcement to talk about the 11-year old girl, Dasani, who has been highlighted in recent New York Times series about homeless families in New York City's shelters. These families include more than 20,000 children.

The New York Times' December 2013 series of articles, Invisible Child, Dasani's Homeless Life, written by Andrea Elliot, focus on many aspects of the incredibly disturbing legacy left by outgoing Mayor Michael Bloomberg. The series details the shameful lack of compassion that Mayor Bloomberg had for desperate families in New York's shelter system. At Brooklyn's Auburn Family Residence, where Dasani lives, these injustices include: "[i]nadequate food, inadequate medical attention, a leaky roof, moldy rooms and bathrooms with broken sinks and doors ... insufficient security and fire safety protections, fetid odors, and leaks from waste containers."

While there is nothing in these articles that can be ignored, I cannot help but ask myself how, under Mayor Bloomberg's fiscal stewardship, millions of New York City taxpayer dollars were allegedly being spent annually to operate just one family shelter building - where Dasani and so many other children languish in filth and trauma.

I have to ask how, in 2009-2010, New York City's Department of Homeless Services spent $8 million dollars in a capitol renovation project to replace all exterior windows in this one homeless shelter with new energy efficient windows.

Yes, my dear reader: as part of Mayor Bloomberg's legacy, $8 million dollars was spent to replace windows in the Auburn Family Residence’s 10-story building. These were not stained glass windows, and the families who live in that building after the repairs still sleep in layers of clothing and prop mattresses against the new windows to keep out the cold. Another example of Bloomberg’s fiscal irresponsibility.

You should know that during the very same time that $8 million dollars of our public resources were spent to replace 10 stories of windows, the Empire State Building spent about half of that - $4.6 million dollars - to refurbish its 6,514 windows.

With this in mind, it is even sadder to re-read the part of the Times article that describes how Dasani would sit at her window and "see all the way across Brooklyn to the Empire State Building, the first New York skyscraper to reach 100 floors. Her gaze always stops at that iconic temple of stone, its tip pointed celestially, its facade lit with promise."

Is there anyone who thinks that if I had allocated $8 million dollars to replace the windows in any single building that there would not be a full blown investigation about what was really going on with that money? Is there anyone who thinks this isn't the tip of the iceberg of how the Bloomberg Administration grossly mismanaged New York's tax dollars on the backs of the poor and needy?

As the Bloomberg era finally comes to an end, I am hopeful that there will be an outcry for justice for all involved in this $8 million dollar window debacle, and the millions allegedly spent by the Department of Health and Human Services on improving a deteriorated system. I hope this outcry will take place not only in the court of public opinion, but in the courts of law as well. I am hopeful that reporters and editors will investigate this incident and many more that remain ignored or have fallen through the cracks.

As the Christmas Season draws closer, I ask for everyone to keep Dasani and her family and all homeless New Yorkers in their prayers.

And ladies and gentlemen, I also ask you to keep Deputy Mayor Lilliam Barrios-Paoli and Mayor-elect Bill DeBlasio in your prayers because they have a very big mess to clean up.

This is Senator Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz, and this is what you should know.

 

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York 

 
The Magnificent Seven Members of the Moreland Commission

  Late Monday afternoon, after most people had left work for the day, the Moreland Commission to Investigate Public Corruption released its preliminary report. The Moreland Commission, as it is commonly called, was convened by Governor Andrew Cuomo in July and included significant involvement from members of his staff.

As expected, the report painted a very bleak picture of New York State politics. According to Thomas Kaplan of the New York Times: “While providing limited details, the report described ‘a pay-to-play political culture driven by large checks,’ in which wealthy interests exchanged campaign contributions for legislation; candidates spent campaign money on personal items like clothing and cigars; and the Board of Elections consistently failed to enforce election laws. The report suggested that campaign finance laws were so lax that fund-raising can amount to ‘legalized bribery’.”

As was also expected, the Moreland Commission presented recommendations to clean up New York State’s political mess, including the public financing of campaigns similar to the system that is already in place in New York City and implementing limits on campaign contributions.
Ladies and gentlemen, you should know the report did not have the unanimous consent of all the members of the Commission. There were seven dissenters and I stand with these magnificent seven members of the Moreland Commission. I stand with these magnificent seven members of the Moreland Commission in their statement that public funds should not be used for political campaigns. Why should public funds be used for my political campaign when just the other day the New York Daily News described the Bronx as “the hungriest borough?” Why should public money be used to finance political campaigns when our homeless shelters are overflowing and affordable housing is so scarce? How can any politician in good conscience accept public money for his or her campaign when so many of their constituents continue to struggle to support their families?
You should also know that the majority of politicians who have been indicted, found guilty and who are presently serving or waiting to serve prison sentences, are not in prison as a result of campaign finance and election law violations. They are in prison or have been found guilty for other unrelated crimes. The simple reality is that had the Moreland Commission’s recommendations already been in place, the recommendations would not have prevented these politicians from committing the types of crimes for which they were found guilty and subsequently sent to prison.
My dear reader, don’t get me wrong, the current system needs to be fixed and loopholes exist that you could drive a Sherman Tank through. Take for example Governor Cuomo’s birthday fundraiser bash he held at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City on Tuesday night. The top ticket came with a price tag of $50,000. How can he honestly look at any politician with a straight face, especially on the heels of his Moreland Commission’s report, and call for campaign finance reform while he blatantly increases his already-bloated war chest? Shouldn’t the Governor be the role model for campaign finance reform? Shouldn’t the Governor eliminate the influence of big money donors who have business before the State? Shouldn’t the Moreland  Commission be looking into the Governor’s campaign contributions as well as the Legislature’s?
You should know that just because the Governor’s big money fundraiser is not technically illegal, it doesn’t mean that it is morally and ethically justifiable. As I have written before in this column, “In ancient Rome there was a saying that says Caesar’s wife should not only be pure, but have the appearance of purity.”  
That is why I agree with the Magnificent Seven Members of the Moreland Commission.  And I hope that all my colleagues in the Senate do the same.
I am Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know.

 

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District, 

 
Look Who’s Talking About Treason?

You should know that I am reading Fred Dicker’s column in today’s 11/4/13, New York Post about how New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is getting leaders of the Democratic Party together for fight against the Independent Democratic Conference (IDC) Leader Jeff Klein and his fellow IDC Members: Senator Diane Savino, Senator David Valesky and Senator David Carlucci – calling them “traitors to the Democratic Party.”

As you know, IDC Leader Senator Jeff Klein formed an alliance with the Senate Republican Party Leader, Senator Dean Skelos, where they both serve as Co-Chairs to the State Senate. They share the authority to bring and stop legislation from coming to the Floor of the Senate. They both run the Senate.

According to Fred Dicker, Governor Andrew Cuomo has pressured Members of the IDC to support him on certain issues, and since they refuse, Dicker quotes a Cuomo administration source: “He said members of Klein’s IDC would be “prime targets’’ of the governor’s attacks. “The governor thinks the IDC members are most vulnerable in Democratic primaries as traitors to the Democratic Party,’’ the source continued.”

You should know this is laughable. It is pure hypocrisy – and the biggest farce any leader could bring to the Democratic Party.  If we really want to talk about treason and the Democratic Party, let’s talk about Governor Andrew Cuomo himself.

You should know that Governor Andrew Cuomo did everything possible from stopping the Democrats from taking control of the State Senate. We all know that it was Governor Andrew Cuomo who stopped Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins from becoming the Leader of the New York State Senate by working behind doors to create the IDC.

Today we have a coalition of Democrats in the State Senate – something called the Independent Democratic Conference – and we can all thank Governor Andrew Cuomo for it. It was formed behind the scenes with his full support. Governor Andrew Cuomo did not want the Democrats to be in control of the State Senate, so he pushed for the formation of this coalition hoping to manipulate it – and of course, he blessed it.

And while we’re on the subject who is the traitor to the Democratic Party, you should know that it was Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Budget that cut services to senior citizens, closed community service organizations, cut services to Medicare, and hurt the poor and needy New Yorkers. He even refused to include the Dream Act in his Budget.

Governor Andrew Cuomo’s opposition to helping and supporting the most vulnerable New Yorkers goes completely against the heart of the Democratic Party. He may want to take a look in the mirror if he really wants to see who is committing treason against basic Democratic issues.


You should also know that during the last election, Governor Andrew Cuomo, the standard bearer of New York State Democratic Party, publicly supported Republicans running for State Senate. He backed GOP Senators Roy McDonald and Stephen Saland. He even backed GOP Mark Grisanti over Democrat Mike Amodeo.

You should know that while Senator Jeff Klein has just announced that he will be the major advocate of Bill de Blasio's plan to use tax hikes on the wealthy to fund universal prekindergarten – Governor Andrew Cuomo remains opposed to taxing the rich.

My dear reader, when anyone tells me that Governor Andrew Cuomo is attacking Senator Jeff Klein and the IDC and calling them traitors, I have to say: Please, GIVE ME A BREAK!

Senator Jeff Klein looks like a hero compared to Governor Andrew Cuomo. Even though I oppose Senator Klein’s efforts to promote the Reproductive Health Act, I have to applaud him because at least he was able to grab and hold on to some of the power and protect some legislation that helps the poor and the needy – and he does not ignore the needs of minority New Yorkers.

So ladies and gentlemen, when we talk about treason and who is the real traitor, all eyes, all fingers, all arrow and all darts have to be pointed at our beloved Governor Andrew Cuomo.

This is Senator Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know.

 

WHY I OPPOSE CASINO GAMBLING LEGISLATION

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York

  You should know that when Senate Bill 5898, supported by Governor Andrew Cuomo and sponsored by Senator Bonacic, came to the Floor of the Senate to propose an amendment to the State Constitution to authorize casino gambling in New York State, I voted NO. When this vote came to the floor of the Senate on June 21, 2013, I was proud that seven of my colleagues: Senator Espaillat, Senator Hoylman, Senator Krueger, Senator LaValle, Senator Parker, Senator Perkins, and Senator Sanders all joined me and voted against this bill.

You should know that the bill passed, and on Tuesday, November 5, 2013, Proposal 1 will be on the ballot for voters in New York State to decide if they want to legalize and expand casino gambling in New York.

I still don’t support this measure that Governor Andrew Cuomo has been pushing hard to pass, and I will continue to publicly and ardently disagree with Governor Cuomo’s efforts to make this amendment to legalize casino gambling part of the State Constitution.

You should know that the purpose of putting Proposal 1 on the ballot and passing a Constitutional Amendment to allow for more casinos to open New York State is to bring more revenue to the State. The Governor believes that more casinos in New York State will open the coffers so that money will flow and help tourism, revenue and jobs.

The reason why I voted NO to legislation to legalize casino gambling – in a State where poverty levels continue to increase – is because gambling revenues will not draw from expendable income. Gambling revenues will draw from families’ necessities. Instead of helping the many New Yorkers who already suffer from gambling addiction, this amendment will only continue to destroy their worlds and further exploit vulnerable and poor New Yorkers and their families.

As a minister and a community leader, I have seen many good people get hooked on gambling - even senior citizens. I have seen it become an addiction, like drugs. I have seen families dispossessed from their homes. I have seen gambling destroy many lives.

You should also know that by legalizing casino gambling, gambling addiction will increase and more and more families and children will suffer. Rent will not get paid. Food will not be on the tables. People will suffer.

Ladies and gentlemen, I have opposed legislation to expand casino gambling in New York State, and I will continue to oppose it.

This is Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz, and this is what you should know.

 

The Daily News Just Couldn’t Resist!

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York 

The Daily News Just Couldn’t Resist!
You should all know that for years and years, I have been writing columns – just like this one – titled "What You Should Know.” While I am certainly no friend of the Daily News nor most of the media, from time to time, my columns appear in part or in their entirety in different publications.

You should also know that whether or not my "What You Should Know" columns get the media’s attention, I am constantly receiving greetings and warm handshakes in the halls of the State Senate, on the streets of New York, phone calls, emails, Facebook postings, and twitter communications from constituents and friends and leaders – all letting me know that my "What You Should Know" column is the talk of the town. I have been told that my “What You Should Know” column is “one of the most highly anticipated emails in New York.”

My dear reader, just imagine the smile on my face when I read today’s New York Daily News top editorial titled "What New York Needs to Know." You bet I was flattered!

The Daily News didn't make any mention of or reference to my October 28, 2013 "What You Should Know" column titled "It Is About Time To Investigate Macy’s" even though (you should know) that what I wrote included some of the exact subject matter that was covered in their editorial. But surprise, surprise ... apparently, they couldn’t resist imitating my signature “What You Should Know” title - without giving me credit.

You should know that there is an old saying: “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.” And so, to the editors and staff at the Daily News, all I have to say to you today is: “Thank you!”

This is Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz, and this is what you should know.

 

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
District 32 Bronx County, New York

IT IS ABOUT TIME TO INVESTIGATE MACY'S

You should know that there has been a lot of media hype about Macy’s and the lawsuit actor Robert Brown has brought against Macy’s for (allegedly) parading him through the store in handcuffs after he bought a $1350.00 watch for his mother. Mr. Brown’s case may very well be the tip of the iceberg as to what actually goes on inside Macy’s Herald Square Store, located on West 34th Street in New York City.

My dear friend and former legal counsel, Christopher Lynn, Esq. told me about his experience representing a Hispanic man who was arrested and accused of shoplifting at Macy’s two years ago.

Mr. Lynn’s client went to exchange a coat purchased at Macy’s the day prior and he brought the coat and his receipt for which he paid cash. He was arrested for stealing the coat. The security claimed that the receipt was found on the floor.

Mr. Lynn’s client was taken to the private jail in the store - yes, bars and all. There, he was given a choice: to face arrest with NYPD, or to pay a fine to Macy’s with a credit card or debit card for violating the New York State General Obligation Law section 11-105 Law which allows a store to sue a shop lifter.

Mr. Lynn’s client refused. While he was in custody waiting for the NYPD to arrive, he saw dozens of such detentions, all involving people of color. Many, not wishing arrest, surrendered to the coercion and used their cards to pay a fine.

Mr. Lynn’s client was formally arrested by the NYPD and taken to the midtown criminal court where Presiding Criminal Court Judge Richard Weinberg, upon learning the facts and looking at the receipt, dismissed the charges.

Judge Weinberg recommended that Mr. Lynn subpoena the store videos and records and to start a civil action against Macy's. Mr. Lynn’s client told his attorney about Macy’s private jail. When Mr. Lynn went to serve the subpoenas, he saw the Macy’s jail. According to Mr. Lynn, “It was just like central booking.”

Of course, Macy’s settled.

My dear reader, we all know that people steal, but as Mr. Lynn stated – repeating the words of Judge Weinberg: "They don’t steal in the numbers represented by the arrests. There are not that many stupid, dishonest shoppers. And why are they all minorities? And why is Macy's using that part of the State Law?”

I fully agree with Judge Weinberg and with Mr. Lynn that we need to look at this law. Is Macy's using the New York State General Obligation Law as a stream of revenue? Are their security guards licensed? Are they under quotas for shoplifting detentions? Do they use racial profiling in the store to determine who may or may not be a shoplifter? Why is Macy’s allowed to run a private jail and offer thieves the choice to pay or to get arrested? What does NYPD have to say about this? What records does Macy's keep?

I agree with anyone and everyone who wants to ask Macy’s for the statistics on these "collections." I agree with all who want to know if Macy’s allow those falsely arrested at Macy’s to get a minimum dollar amount if they sue Macy’s in small claims court and win. (If anyone were to ask me how much I think they should pay, I might suggest for Macy’s to pay $5,000 per false arrest.)

You should know that I have sent letters demanding that the New York State Division of Human Rights and the New York City Commission on Human Rights to investigate these matters. I have also sent letters demanding that the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District take a first-hand look at this jail at Macy’s 34th Street Flagship Store.

Ladies and gentlemen, I hope the authorities will focus on these matters before things get even more out of control, and before the rush of Christmas shoppers fills the store.

This is Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz, and this is what you should know. 

 

What You Should Know

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York

Governor Cuomo's Abortion Expansion Plans

  You should know that although Governor Andrew Cuomo's Women's Equality Agenda contains nine provisions that are very good, there is one provision that will expand abortion practice in New York State. Governor Cuomo's bill will immediately permit abortion up to nine months; it will permit
non-doctors to perform abortion; it will eliminate laws that would jail abortionists like Kermit Gosnell.

You should know that much to our disgrace, New York is already known as the abortion capital of our nation. One in every three pregnancies in New York already ends in abortion.  In Black and Hispanic communities, abortion rates are close to 60 percent! Since most New Yorkers want abortion to be
rare, I cannot understand why Governor Cuomo would highlight this sort of legislation to increase abortion in a package of bills that would promote equality for women.

I completely agree with my dear friend, Cardinal Dolan, who stressed: "The direct taking of the life of a child in the womb in no way enhances a woman’s dignity."

There is no legitimate excuse why the nine good provisions of the Women's Equality Agenda, which include gender-based discrimination and pay inequity cannot be voted on as separate legislation.

There is no reason at all why the nine good provisions of the Women's Equality Agenda should be tied to legislation that would decriminalize violence against the unborn - as when abusive men beat up their pregnant
wives or girlfriends so they can miscarry. Under Cuomo's bill, those crimes could go unpunished!

There is no excuse whatsoever for victims of domestic violence or sex trafficking to be held hostage to Governor Cuomo's need to expand abortion in New York State.

Many pregnancies after 24 weeks result in live births where preemies are nourished in intensive-care-units and sent home as cherished newborns. Governor Cuomo's law  would not equally protect these young lives.

Ladies and gentlemen, I want to be very clear and say that the dignity of women in New York deserves to be promoted, and any legislation that will help to build equality should be supported.  I also want to be very clear that our children are our treasures and their lives deserve to be protected.

Most New Yorkers do not support late-term abortion, and most New Yorkers want abortion to be rare. Any effort by Governor Cuomo or any elected official to promote, expand, or sanction abortion to drive the already staggering abortion rates even higher must be opposed.

We cannot let Governor Cuomo present this agenda as a "take-it-or-leave-it" package so that nine good provisions are sacrificed because they are joined with one heinous piece of legislation to expand abortion.

These government-sanctioned acts of killing innocent babies remind me of the orders given by Egyptian Pharaohs in the Old Testament and of King Herod of Judea in the New Testament.  I am also afraid that through this legislation, by allowing non-physicians and just about any health practitioners to perform abortions, Governor Cuomo will put women's lives at risk instead of actually protecting them.

This is Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know.

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What You Should Know

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York

MY HUMBLE SUGGESTION FOR GOVERNOR ANDREW CUOMO

You should know that while the worst of another Great Depression seems to be over in New York State and our Governor is claiming to have balanced the budget on time for three consecutive years, nonetheless, New York continues to face difficult times and ways of finding revenue to fill its commitments.

To balance the Budget, drastic spending cuts have been made in many government agencies such as the New York State Office for the Aging, The Department of Health and State & City Universities.  The workforce and education of the children continue to suffer, and many non-profit community organizations have either closed their doors or suffered unsustainable cuts.

You should also know that during my ten years of service in the New York State Senate, I have and continue to present, advice and introduce pieces of legislation to help New York State find additional resources without having to hurt the poor and needy.

The problem with my solutions and recommendations is that they will protect the poor and hurt the pocket of the wealthy and powerful, and for some people in power; it is much easier to hit the poor and not the wealthy.

You should know that this is not the first time that I have written about this, but because the Legislative Session is about to end and no one seems to care, I just want to remind you, my dear reader, of my commitment and struggle to find solutions and alleviate the burden that every year is put on the shoulders of the poor and needy of our State.

You should know that there are three pieces of legislation that I have introduced in the Senate, some of which are being introduced in the Assembly by Assemblymen Marcos Crespo, Jeff Dinowitz and Brian Kavanagh.

My “Dead Peasants” or “Janitors” Insurance Senate Bill 5388 and Assembly Bill 3896 introduced by Assemblyman Crespo, deals with abuse or injustices committed by some powerful companies toward their employees and their families.

Despite the current bleak economic picture, corporations are reaping huge financial benefits from life insurance policies they take out on their employees and/or retirees. Corporate-owned life insurance, better known as “Dead Peasants” or “Janitors” insurance, is a life insurance policy that is taken out on low-level employees, often without the knowledge or consent of the employee, and whose families are not named as beneficiaries when the employee or retiree dies.

When the employee or retiree dies, these tax free benefits are collected by the employer. Furthermore, it is believed that companies are frequently using these policies to pay for retirement benefits and other perks for their top executives. Companies that supposedly engage in the practice of purchasing these policies include Wal-Mart, Dow Chemical, Proctor & Gamble and Walt Disney.

One tragic example of this practice is that of a 48 year-old assistant manager at Wal-Mart who died of a massive heart attack. The man’s widow became the lead plaintiff in a class action suit after she learned that Wal-Mart collected $300,000 from a life insurance policy it owned on him.

My bill would impose a 50% tax on all benefits received by companies in New York State who take out life insurance policies on their employees or retirees.

Secondly, you should know that my Senate Bill S5150, introduced in the Assembly as A4066 by Assemblyman Marcos Crespo, and A157 by Assemblyman Brian Kavanagh, deal with taxes collected when purchases  are made with a credit card.

A major source of failure to comply with the New York State sales taxes being remitted to the State from credit card companies who collect such taxes from their customers and instead of sending those taxes to New York State Commissioner of Taxation, the credit card companies send the taxes back to the merchant where the purchase was made.

The current system relies solely on the thousands of vendors to voluntarily remit such sales taxes to the state. It is believed that the state loses more than $800 million dollars every year on these taxes.

My legislation will force the companies to send those taxes directly to the state and not back to the vendors.

New York State cannot possibly audit every vendor and the vendors know this. However, the processors which are paid by the vendors to deal with the issuers of credit and debit cards, and who actually get the monies from the credit card issuers, are far less numerous. They know the true sales and actually get money from the credit card companies which include the sales taxes. It is more efficient to have these processors remit the sales taxes directly to New York State instead of sending the taxes back to the vendors and then relying upon the vendors to timely and accurately submit the sales taxes.

Finally, another piece of legislation that I have introduced in the Senate is S1386 which Assemblymen Marcos Crespo and Jeff Dinowitz are carrying in the Assembly as bill A4003 and bill A308.

You should know that some of the biggest money-making industries in the nation are pharmaceutical companies. The same prescription drugs that we purchase in the state of New York at sky-high prices are sold in Canada at minimum cost. Buying prescription drugs from Canada will save the state close to $1 billion dollars annually.

My legislation is based on a program that has operated successfully in Schenectady County since 2005. Since then, the County has realized savings of over $17 million dollars. Additionally, County prescription drug costs have increased less than 8.9% since the program’s inception. This figure
compares favorably with the average of U.S prescriptions drug programs which have seen prices escalate by more than 12% each year, or 76.2% over five years. Over 90% of Schenectady County’s employees represented by two unions, CSEA and 1199, now participate in the program.

Since prescription drug costs are among New York State’s highest expenditures, one way the State can accomplish this goal is by creating the New York State Prescription Medication Cost Containment Program, which would be voluntary, for participants in the Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Program (EPIC) and for New York State civil service employees and retirees.

My advice to New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo is that the State must be more creative in its approach to raising revenue and controlling expenses, without relying on the usual methods of raising taxes and cutting - or in some cases eliminating programs that hurt the poor and needy and balance the Budget on their backs.

Governor Cuomo should take a really good look at my three pieces of legislation. If he feels that they are good for the State, he doesn’t even have to give me credit for them - he can take them and make them his top priority and push for them as he has done for same sex marriage, abortions, marijuana and election reform.

This is Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know.

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What You Should Know

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York

With Friends Like That, Who Needs Enemies?


You should know that here in Albany, you can find bookies taking and placing bets all over the place. Ever since U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara released the names of six Democratic Senators who were recorded by
disgraced Senator Shirley Huntley, Albany has become an ambulatory casino in New York State.

Senators Ruth Hassell-Thompson, Velmanette Montgomery, Eric Adams, José Peralta, John Sampson and Malcolm Smith were all recorded by Senator Shirley Huntley after she was caught with her hand in the cookie jar.  She tried to save her skin by coming to an agreement with the FBI to wear recording equipment where she secretly, hypocritically invited people who were supposed to be her friends to visit her at her house – just to record them and try to bring them down.

With friends like that, who needs enemies?

It is important for you to know that only their names were released. Nothing concrete and nothing damaging about them has ever been revealed. It is for that reason that all of the bookies and crapshooters are going
around, placing their bets and playing their games.

Some high-rollers here in the State Capitol are also betting on the odds of Assemblyman Sheldon Silver’s future as Speaker after his secret handling of sexual abuse cases in the Assembly.  It’s hard to walk in any room in Albany without hearing someone discussing the odds of how much time Assemblyman Silver has left.

Friends and foes are going all around the State Capitol wagering about who they think will be the next elected official to go down.  Some are gambling about who they think is going around wearing recording devices.  They’re also placing their odds about who is inviting their colleagues to dinners and parties under the disguise of friendship, just to put them in jail.

With friends like that, who needs enemies?

So far, the biggest surprise of all in this mess was the comment made by a Queens Senator (and Democrat) Tony Avella, to Mr. Ken Lovett from the New York Daily News when he was asked to comment.  Mr. Lovett reported: “Avella said he's not surprised that fellow Queens Democrat Sen. Jose Peralta is among the six sitting senators ex-Sen. Shirley Huntley is said to have met with at her home while wearing a wire for the FBI.”

It appears to me that Senator Tony Avella placed himself in the role judge, jury and executioner to publicly condemn Senator José Peralta to the world.

If Senator Avella does not know about actual wrong-doings by Senator Peralta, then Senator Tony Avella owes a public apology to Senator José Peralta, to Senator Peralta’s constituents, to his Democratic colleagues, to the Hispanic community – and especially to the Dominican community.

In fact, if Senator Tony Avella was bearing false witness to Mr. Ken Lovett about Senator José Peralta, I’d have to say that Senator Avella owes an apology to the entire Borough of Queens since his words may have ruined Senator Peralta’s chances of becoming the Queens Borough President. This could be true even if there are no criminal charges ever brought against Senator Peralta and even if Senator Peralta proves to be the cleanest person on the earth!

If, on the other hand, Senator Tony Avella knows something about José Peralta that I don’t know about, then I will be the one who owes an apology to Tony Avella.

“My friends are my friends with all of their virtues and all of their defects,” my father used to say to my mother when I was young.

My father, Mr. Isaac Diaz Amecquita was well-known in Puerto Rico for his virtues as a carpenter, as a dominoes player, but also by his fidelity to his friends.  To the world, he would defend his friends whenever they were criticized.  He never abandoned his friends, especially when they were down.  These childhood memories cause me to compare how friendships were valued in those days and how they are valued now.  I also remember the old saying: “A friend is a dollar in your pocket, and if the pocket is broken, there is no friend.”

So, ladies and gentlemen, with friends like Tony Avella, Senator Peralta needs no enemies.

This is Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know.

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What You Should Know

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York

My Two Cents on Election Reform

You should know that starting with my son, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr., and going all the way down the political landscape, I am feeling a lot of pressure to support Governor Andrew Cuomo’s campaign finance and election reform legislation.  There have been many, many conversations about election reform to try to get me on board … the pressure has been tremendous!

You should also know that yes, we are in need of election reform – but not just any old window-dressing reform.  We are in need of real, deep and serious campaign finance and election reform.  Therefore, I would like to contribute my two cents about how I believe we should start.

First, let’s start by giving four-year terms to our New York State Senators and Assembly Members.

Everybody else has four-year terms.  The Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Attorney General, the New York City Mayor, and the New York City Council Members – they all serve four-year terms. This gives them all ample time to dedicate themselves to the business of the people – without having to be distracted too much about making time to raise money for their next election.  Instead, as soon as New York State’s Senators and Assembly Members get elected, they have to start raising money to get re-elected
instead of honestly and faithfully dedicating most of their time to their duties as legislators.  It is important to give Senators and Assembly Members four-year terms.  I assure you that this will be good, and it will help to lessen corruption and desperation for some legislators to raise money for their next campaign.

Second, it would be ideal if New York State’s election reform would also include a mandate to stagger elections.

You should know that in the United States Senate, Senators have six-year terms and every two years, one third of the Senate is elected.  If the New York State Senate and Assembly would have elections staggered so that only half of the body would be up for re-election every two years, we would have continuity and seniority and experience.  It would be more stabilizing for our government, and for our election cycles.

Third, we must be sure that every elected official – especially the lawyers who serve in the Senate and the Assembly – report who their clients are and who gives them money.

We need legislators to provide a full disclosure about all their business dealings, as well as every aspect of their operations.  If election reform changes the status of Senators and Assembly Members from a part-time to a full-time job, it would help eliminate a lot of the temptation and the hanky-panky of lawyers in elected office who currently do business with firms and serve as 'of counsel' to companies that do business with cities, local municipalities, and the State.  A legislator should be a full time legislator, with no other part-time jobs. Fourth, Governor Andrew Cuomo should donate to charity the $20 million dollars plus in campaign funds that was raised for him.

Those $20 million dollars plus were raised for Governor Andrew Cuomo in cooperation with the Committee to Save New York, and by people doing business with New York State.  As part of his call for transparency,
Governor Cuomo should require the release of the names of all of the people who made donations to the Committee to Save New York.  Like everyone else, Governor Andrew Cuomo should start from scratch.  It’s not nice for him to say, “Hey, I have $20 million dollars and can continue raising money, but the rest of you can go and start from scratch to raise your money.”

Fifth, you should also know that there are indications that the proposed election reform bill will give more power and control to groups, unions, organizations and PACS.

Right now, they can only contribute limited amounts of money to candidates. As things stand now, they are limited to how much money they can spend on a candidate.  If Governor Andrew Cuomo’s election reform bill passes as it is, they most certainly will have even more power and ability to raise money.

For example, if a political party decides to ask every one of their members to contribute at least $25 dollars to a candidate of their choice to oust an opponent, and they all contribute, the government matching funds for
each of those $25 dollar donations grows to $150.  If you multiply that amount by the number of party members who donate, that’s a lot of money – and a powerful tool for the party to either oust or help an incumbent or an insurgent.   I am deeply concerned that political parties and Super PACS and organizations backed by wealthy individuals will make it much easier to say “Bye-bye!” to any incumbent who has the strong support of his or her constituents.

Finally, you should know that I personally never liked using public funds to support political candidates.  I especially don’t like it now when Governor Andrew Cuomo has cut the Senators’ and the Assembly Members’ member items and capital funds.  These cuts prevent legislators from helping their communities.  If the justification for Governor Andrew Cuomo is because he believes the State cannot afford member items and capital funds, or if he says they need to money to balance the State Budget, then how can he allow for public funds to be used to support political candidates.

If there really is no money to help community organizations, senior citizen centers, little leagues, block associations and community watch groups, then we should not use public money to support political campaigns.  After eliminating resources to community groups and not-for-profit organizations that serve the people, why should we instead be giving money to politicians to run their campaigns?  New Yorkers would be much better served if their tax money is given to our senior citizens for computer labs, little leagues for uniforms and baseball equipment, and block associations to strengthen the role of our families and neighbors.

Ladies and gentlemen, as people attempt to pressure me and discuss ways to approach the much-needed election reform, you should know that I feel obligated to share my two cents with all of you.

This is New York State Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know.

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What You Should Know

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York

Governor Andrew Cuomo: The Macho Man


You should know that there are two very well known and important Biblical passages that deal with the way in which we should recognize the merit, good or bad, of our fellow human beings. One is located in the Gospel of Mark and says: “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God, what belongs to God.” You will find the other Biblical passage in the Epistle written by the Apostle Paul to the Romans, Chapter 13, verse 7: “Render therefore to all their dues:  tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.” (King James Version)

Following these biblical ordinances, I have to write this “What You Should Know” to give New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo credit for three very important and courageous acts in the last few weeks.

You should know that since the Honorable Andrew Cuomo came to be the New York State Governor, I have been his number one critic, due to a few things he has done that he imposed on us which I believe are wrong and negative. He started with his budgets being balanced on the backs of the poor and the needy of the State, and then he imposed homosexual marriage on us, now he is promoting abortion on demand with the possibility of giving carte blanche to late term abortions, and he is selling New York to the committee
called the Committee to Save New York.

The same way that I have been prone to criticize the Governor, I cannot be blind to the following three courageous acts that he has done in the last few weeks.

First, Governor Cuomo openly and publicly refused to allow the Bronx Democratic County Organization to conduct a special election to fill the vacant seat created by the resignation of Assemblyman Nelson Castro. This was practically a slap in the face to the Bronx Democratic Organization and its leaders.

As you know, it is very common for Governors to call for a special election giving local political organizations the advantage in electing the new person. By not calling for a special election, this means that the vacancy has to be filled during the Democratic Primary, making the Bronx Democratic Organization work harder, spend more money and raising the possibility of losing the seat.

Second, Governor Cuomo took on Senator Jeff Klein and Assemblyman Denny Farrell by personally and publicly coming out in opposition to a piece of legislation that they were promoting. According to the New York Daily News Editorial of Tuesday April 30, 2013, Senator Jeff Klein and Assemblyman Denny Farrell were sponsoring legislation favoring the lending companies that according to the Daily News “would let low income New Yorkers…be victimized by interest rates of up to 200%.” The News used words like “loan-sharking,” “usury,” and “horrendous” in its description of this legislation. It also states that Senator Klein has received $50,000 and Assemblyman Farrell $30,000 from the loan companies that will benefit if such legislation ever becomes law.

You should know that to Governor Cuomo’s credit he came out against this legislation claiming that “it will roll back longstanding and effective consumer protections.”

Lastly, our Governor wrote a letter to Mr. Kevin Burke the Chairman and CEO of Con Edison opposing a recent decision by Con Edison to award bonuses to its executives.

In the letter dated April 23 to Mr. Burke, the Governor wrote: “I write to express concern regarding Con Edison’s (Con Ed) recent decision to award bonuses to its senior executives. These bonuses come at a particularly sensitive time. Six months ago today, Superstorm Sandy hit New York and in its aftermath, we witnessed a complete failure by many of our State’s utilities to provide adequate service to the ratepayers they serve. In impacted areas across our State, many New Yorkers were left without heat or light for weeks.”

The Governor ended his letter to Con Edison saying “In order to ensure that the terms of the approved rate plan and that ratepayers are not wrongly put on the hook for bonuses to Con Ed’s senior executives, I am directing the PSC to conduct a review of the bonuses. This will include reviewing Con Ed documents associated with the approval of the bonuses, the accounting treatments of these costs, and what steps Con Ed has taken to ensure that no costs have passed on to rate payers.” Bravo Mr. Governor! Te la comistes.

You should know that like Don Quixote De La Mancha, our Governor has taken out his sword and on this occasion, with courage and precision, has come out fighting the windmills on behalf of the residents of the New York City, knowing that they could have been the most affected by these draconian, blood sucking windmills. In these three situations, the Governor has proved to be a macho man.

I am Senator Rubén Díaz, and this is what you should know.

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What You Should Know

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York

HISTORY ALWAYS REPEATS ITSELF

You should know that a lot of people have been calling me and asking me about the endorsement by Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda to Mayoral Candidate Bill de Blasio. They are also asking me if my relationship with Luis Sepulveda has gone sour.

 

As you know, Luis Sepulveda was my protégé and when the Bronx Democratic Chairman and Committee did not want to endorse him, I was there to support, pressure and fight for their support. I was the only elected official, that four years ago, came out in support of Luis Sepulveda against an 18-year incumbent leader, Peter Rivera. That election was lost by almost 400 votes, but it was a stepping-stone for Luis Sepulveda to regroup and continue to fight and making Assemblyman Peter Rivera to resign and become New York State Commissioner of Labor and open the opportunity for Luis Sepulveda to be who he is today, a New York State Assemblyman for the 87th District in the Bronx.

 

Now, Luis Sepulveda has gone on his own and has supported Bill de Blasio for Mayor against my candidate, Rev. Erick Salgado.

 

All of my friends, all of my colleagues, and everyone in the media know that I am supporting a candidate whose name is Rev. Erick Salgado who announced his candidacy for Mayor earlier this month. Rev. Erick Salgado is a conservative Democrat and a businessman who is ready and willing to unite with all New Yorkers to fix our broken city.  He is the only Hispanic running in the Mayoral Democratic Primary.

   

My candidate, Rev. Erick Salgado and I know that at this moment, he is at the bottom rung and has only one way to go - up - and he will!

 

We all saw how Christine Quinn's poll numbers took a real hit after Senator Gustavo Rivera endorsed her for Mayor.  Before his endorsement, Christine Quinn had the support of 37 percent of those polled. She was so close to that coveted 40 percent mark. After Senator Gustavo Rivera's endorsement, she's down to 26 percent.

 

My advise to my dear friend Luis Sepulveda is to work very hard, especially in the Hispanic community, to be sure that Bill DeBlasio's poll numbers, which even last week were said to be sluggish, don't come down because as a Hispanic, I could imagine that Bill de Blasio is expecting him to deliver the Hispanic vote. One way to prove real leadership is when you and your followers endorse a candidate and after doing so, the poll number rise.  When you endorse a candidate and your candidate gets pummeled, you will lose credibility.

 

And to those that are questioning why this is happening, I must say that this is America where people can decide what is best for them. I should remind them, that this is not the first time and it will not be the last time that people come to our churches, meet our ministers, kiss our babies, tell us to pray for them, ask for our support and once elected, they vanish. We shall continue our struggle because some of us are in this business because of conviction and others only seek convenience.

 

This is Senator Rev. Ruben Diaz and this is what you should know.

 

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What You Should Know

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York

TO FRACK OR NOT TO FRACK?
HAPPY EARTH DAY TO YOU!

   You should know that hydraulic fracturing, better known as fracking, is a process used to extract natural gas from underground shale formations.  It involves drilling thousands of feet below the earth's surface and pumping chemicals, sand and millions of gallons of water at high pressure into a well. When the shale shatters, the gas rises up into the well. There are currently 30 states in the United States where hydraulic fracturing is used.

You should also know that the Marcellus Shale formation stretches from the western part of New York State to Pennsylvania, and is a tremendous resource for natural gas.  There are many pros and cons about fracking this region of New York State, and I'd like to share some of them, today.

The pros of fracking include New Yorkers no longer having to be held hostage to and relying upon oil from the Middle East. Marcellus Shale is believed to be the largest known deposit of shale gas in the United States America.  Fracking in New York would bring natural gas - cheap energy  - to the market. New Yorkers could finally be energy independent.

Natural gas produced by fracking is a cleaner energy source - much cleaner than coal mining. If gas displaces coal, then fracking will be good for the global environment.

Jobs would be created and provide help for New York's economically depressed areas. Between 2009 and 2011 there were 72,000 shale jobs created in Pennsylvania.

The cons of fracking include serious concerns about the environmental impact in New York. These include how drilling and extraction will affect the air and water quality, truck traffic, and industrial accidents.

We have all heard the voices of high-profile celebrities who oppose fracking while claiming to be environmentalists, saying that we need to do more with less. If we take a closer look at some of these outspoken actors and artists, some who are quite wealthy and never have less, I have to wonder if they are just trying to ban progress.

You should know that while I support efforts in New York State to utilize solar, wind, and tidal resources, and while I share the concerns of those who oppose hydrofracking in New York, I strongly believe that if we make sure that our environmental regulations are prepared for the hydrofracking industry, and if we can control the air and water impact of fracking, it will be fine.

If it is safe, let's do it!

This is Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know. 

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What You Should Know

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York

Why Are We So Afraid of Governor Cuomo?

  You should know that today the New York State Senate will begin a public push to limit how Senate campaign funds can be spent. These campaign funds are donations from individuals and organizations given with the understanding that the candidate will use them as they see fit - like renting a car and paying for meals.

You should also know that while this effort to turn up the heat on Senators has begun, there is still no effort underway to restrict what Governor Cuomo does with resources he raises, and no demand for a complete disclosure of the names of the donors from the Committee to Save New York - his ally - a private lobbying committee not subject to state campaign finance law.  The names of many of their donors remain in the shadows.

The Committee to Save New York has been lockstep with Governor Cuomo's agenda and has spent more money on lobbying activities in 2012 than any other group.

You should know that the billionaires and business leaders who support Governor Cuomo's Committee to Save New York have won billions in government bailouts. Now they insists upon  “fiscal responsibility” for the rest of New York.

I would like to recommend to my colleagues that instead of going after each other and restricting how much money we spend from our donors to rent cars and pay for dinners for our campaigns, that we focus our attention on reviewing policy payoffs that impact our ability to legislate on behalf of our constituents - instead of on behalf of the groups who lobby and profit from their participation of the Committee to Save New York.

I would like to recommend that ethics reform in New York State begin in the Governor's mansion.

While we consider how to restrict Senate campaign donations that are used to pay for meals, I would like my readers to know that many of my colleagues are routinely invited to the Governor's mansion to eat his food and drink his wine with no oversight to who pays those bills.

While we consider how to restrict Senate campaign donations that are used to rent cars, I would like my readers to know that this past Thursday JCOPE quietly posted on their website on state ethics ruling that Governor Cuomo can bring Sandra Lee, his girlfriend and Food Network star who lives with him in Westchester County, along with his daughters on the state aircraft with him when he's on official business.

While we consider how to restrict Senate campaign donations that are used for our cell phones, You should know that the millions of dollars raised by the Committee to Save New York to expand casino gambling needs should be investigated.

You should know that corruption in New York State needs to be thoroughly investigated, and is far more important that the way we spend money donated to us from our supporters - who donate with the full knowledge that we decide how to spend it.

We should be more concerned with stopping big money influence of corporations,  groups and people that are getting access to meetings with Governors and others by contributing big donations and by the conflict of interest of legislators serving as of-counsels and those that are board members of institutions whose leaders contribute big money. Amen.

This is Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know.

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What You Should Know

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York

To My Enemies: Take a Number and Get on Line

 

   You should know that when Rudy Giuliani was the U.S Attorney for the Southern District, he was practically an unknown until he decided to go after elected officials, mostly in Bronx County. Former U.S Attorney Giuliani indicted Bronx Congressman Robert Garcia, Bronx Borough President Stanley Simon, Bronx County leader Stanley Friedman, and many others.

Now, U.S. District Attorney Preet Bharara is following in Giuliani’s footsteps and has decided to go after elected officials – but contrary to Mr. Giuliani, Mr. Bharara has expanded his investigation beyond Bronx County.

You should also know that there is a lot of concern almost everywhere you go about who is going to be the next elected official to be indicted.

In that regard, there are some of my enemies who are going to different radio stations and television programs claiming to know everything, and in their way, bragging and saying that the next one will be me, Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz.

The first one of these people and the most vocal of them is Mr. “Know-It-All” Gerson Borrero.  The hatred and bad will he has for me is well known.  He refers to me as Satan, as Lucifer, as a viper, and he certainly does not need any opportunity to try to paint me as a crook.

You should know that this hostile individual, Mr. Borrero, has been unable to hold a steady job for many years due to his outbursts and lack of self-control.  His lack of professionalism was on display for the public on NY1 a few years ago, when he walked right off the set during an interview with Andrew Kirtzman.  He’s been fired and dismissed from many jobs, and he can’t control himself when someone questions him.  Whoever questions him, he goes after, and I have to believe that this is the case with me.

Another person who claims to be an expert on who will be indicted next is former State Senator Israel Ruiz, who was a guest today on Fred Dicker’s “Live from the State Capitol” daily radio program. Disgraced politician Israel Ruiz publicly announced that I will probably be the next one who will be indicted.

I don’t know why Fred Dicker or anyone else would believe someone who was indicted and sentenced and has the history that Israel Ruiz does.  We all know that Israel Ruiz went to jail and had to resign from his seat in the State Senate many years ago for being crooked.  There is an old saying in Puerto Rico that goes like this: “A crooked person thinks that everyone is crooked.”

There are others who proudly proclaim to be among my enemies, and who refuse to give me credit for being an outspoken fighter who is dedicated to the service of my constituents.  My job, my integrity, my transparency, and my clean record have already been proven by so many investigations.

Those who want to take me down and continue to ask the FBI and the Attorney General and anybody else to investigate me, have been unsuccessful. So ladies and gentlemen you should know that, yes, I have been investigated all my life.  People keep accusing me of this and that, and people keep praying for me to go down.

And so to all of those who are losing sleep because they are so anxious waiting for time for me to go down, I must say: Take a number and stand in line because I am in the business of giving not in the business of taking.

I am Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know.

What You Should Know

How Bills Become Law

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York

How Bills Become Law

You should know that there are many theories about how human beings learn and how human behavior develops.  Philosophers and psychiatrists continue to study and compare nature vs. nurture.  Some, like John Locke, believe in the Tabula Rasa theory, believing that the mind is a blank slate and children learn by experience. He and Freud emphasized how early experiences in life shape children.  Others, like G. Stanley Hall, believe that human behavior is strongly influenced by genetics.

Regardless of how corrupt politics may appear, if we go back to those theories, we can assume that many politicians learn by observing and by following their leaders, just as children learn by following the examples and characteristics of their mothers and fathers.

The title of this article has been pulled from the front page of today’s New York Post where it shows many dollar bills and the title “How bills become law” - meaning that the only way bills become law is when people use money and influence to buy the will of elected officials.

The Post article quotes US Attorney Preet Bharara from Thursday’s news conference asking: “How many other pending bills were born of bribery? How many passed bills were born of bribery?”

With all due respect to the US Attorney Preet Bharara, shouldn’t we also ask: “How many pieces of legislation have already passed with the help of Bloomberg and Cuomo?  Was New York’s gay marriage bill “born of bribery” by the Governor of New York State and the Mayor of the City of New York?”

While I am happy that the Post and others are covering this story, it concerns me that Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Governor Andrew Cuomo practically used the same tools, techniques and theories to push the gay marriage bill through the State Senate.  We all know that Mayor Bloomberg gave tons of money to buy the votes of four Republican Senators.  We all know that Governor Andrew Cuomo called those four Republicans to his office, promised them money and support, and told them that he would campaign with them at election time if they voted for the gay marriage bill.  How is it that the New York Post or the Daily News or other papers had nothing to say about that bill which was clearly "born of bribery?"

Does anyone else find it appalling to read that Governor Andrew Cuomo is “appalled” by the corruption allegations in the Senator Malcolm Smith case?  (Does that Claude Rains scene from Casablanca come to mind again?)

When minor politicians follow the very same techniques and examples used by Bloomberg and Cuomo, authorities arrest these people.  They put them through hell.  On the other hand, we know how they praised and supported the very same methods used when Bloomberg and Cuomo pushed the gay marriage bill through.

We all know that Michael Bloomberg was a Democrat who wanted to run on the Republican line, many years ago.  In the beginning of his political career, he gave not thousands, but millions of dollars to the Republican Party and their Chairmen in the five local counties in order for them to allow him to run on the Republican line.  He made huge donations to party coffers trying to purchase ballot lines.  We all know that Michael Bloomberg gave large sums of money to the Independence Party headed by Lenora Fulani in order for her to let him be on that ballot.  They all sold their lines to Bloomberg for money, and Bloomberg bought their lines with money.

So what is the difference between Michael Bloomberg buying the Republican and Independent Party lines and Senator Malcolm Smith (allegedly) trying to buy the Republican line?

The crime seems to be the same, but the only difference is that Bloomberg wrote checks and Smith (allegedly) used an envelope.

The only difference, I repeat ladies and gentlemen, is if Senator Malcolm Smith would have written a check, I’m pretty sure that everything would have been okay - or okay as far as New York standards go, business as usual.

To the New York Post and to the Daily News and to all of those newspapers and tabloids that act so surprised to see how politicians can be bought, and how others have sold their souls for money: Where have you been?  Take the bandages from your eyes and see that Michael Bloomberg’s money can buy everything money can buy, including politicians and pending pieces of legislation ... and I’m pretty sure he can buy newspapers and reporters, too.

I am Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know.